Many new mothers wonder if they should avoid certain foods while breastfeeding, but the answer is no. For most breastfeeding moms, there are no foods you have to avoid. But you may find that some foods cause stomach upset in your baby.

Watch your baby for the symptoms listed below, which could mean your baby has an allergy or sensitivity to something you eat:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, green stools with mucus and/or blood
• Rash, eczema (EG-zuh-muh), dermatitis, hives, dry skin
• Fussiness during and/or after feedings
• Inconsolable crying for long periods
• Sudden waking with discomfort
• Wheezing or coughing

Talk to your child's doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. If your baby ever has problems breathing, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If your baby is sensitive to a food you're eating, such as cow's milk, you may notice these signs of a reaction right away or several hours after breastfeeding. The symptoms may last up to a day.

Write down what foods you eat and when you notice the symptoms in your baby to help you find out what foods are causing your baby's symptoms. You can then not eat these foods for two or three weeks to see if your baby's symptoms go away. Once you stop eating the problem food, your baby's symptoms should go away in one to two weeks. You may find that after a few months, when your baby is older, you can eat the food again without your baby having any symptoms.

To eat healthy while breastfeeding:

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. A common suggestion is to drink a glass of water or other beverage every time you breastfeed.
• Limit drinks with added sugars, such as sodas and fruit drinks.
• Drinking a moderate amount (up to 2 cups a day) of coffee or other caffeinated beverages does not cause a problem for most breastfeeding babies. But too much caffeine can make a baby fussy or have trouble sleeping.
• Some breastfeeding women may need a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Talk with your doctor to find out whether you need a supplement. Your doctor may recommend that you continue taking your prenatal vitamin while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for moms and babies. For example, breastfeeding can:

• Help protect your baby from infections and illnesses, like ear infections and asthma
• Lower your risk of some diseases like type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer

Making healthy food choices while you're breastfeeding will help you and your baby get the nutrients you both need.

Try to get most of the nutrients you need by following a healthy eating routine. Ask your doctor if you need to take a daily supplement (like a multivitamin) to get enough of nutrients.

Follow a healthy eating routine.

To get the nutrients you need while breastfeeding, follow a healthy eating routine. Choose a mix of healthy foods you enjoy from each food group, including:

• Whole fruits — like apples, berries, oranges, mango, and bananas
• Veggies — like broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, okra, spinach, peppers, and jicama
• Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread
• Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt
• Oils — like vegetable oil, olive oil, and oils in foods like seafood, avocado, and nuts

Check the Nutrition Facts label and choose foods and drinks with less added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium (salt). Learn more about eating healthy.

Get the right amount of calories for you.

You need more calories while you’re breastfeeding than you did before you were pregnant. Work with your doctor to find a healthy eating routine that works for you.

Eat 8 to 12 ounces of seafood each week.

Fish and shellfish have healthy fats that are good for you and your baby. But some seafood is high in mercury, a metal that can hurt your baby’s development. It’s a good idea to eat seafood that’s high in healthy fats but lower in mercury.

Learn more about choosing fish that’s healthy and safe to eat.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Your body needs extra fluids when you’re breastfeeding to stay hydrated. Try drinking a glass of water or other healthy beverage every time you breastfeed.

Limit drinks with caffeine and added sugars.

• Ask your doctor if caffeine is safe for you. When you’re breastfeeding, it’s usually safe to have up to 300 milligrams of caffeine a day (the amount in about 3 cups of coffee) — but your doctor may recommend less.
• Limit drinks with added sugars like sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks.

Consider avoiding alcohol.

Not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. If you’re thinking about drinking while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor first.

If you choose to drink alcohol, follow these safety tips.

• Drink only in moderation — for women, this means no more than 1 drink a day. In general, 1 drink is equal to a bottle of beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of liquor. But keep in mind that many drinks have much more alcohol than a standard serving. Learn more about what counts as a standard drink.
• If you’re going to have a drink, do it just after breastfeeding or pumping — not before.
• Wait at least 2 hours after having a drink to breastfeed or pump. This gives your body time to break down the alcohol so there will be less alcohol in your breast milk.

The short answer is no. When your baby gets all of his or her food from breastfeeding, the baby also gets what you eat, drink, and breathe. If you wouldn't want your baby to smoke, drink, or do drugs then you should not smoke, drink too much, or do drugs while pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you smoke, the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to quit as soon as possible. If you can't quit, it is still better to breastfeed, because it may protect your baby from respiratory problems and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Do not ever smoke near your baby, and change your clothes to keep your baby away from the chemicals smoking leaves behind. Ask a doctor or nurse for help quitting smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or chat online with a quit smoking counselor for free.
• Do not drink alcohol in large amounts. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), an occasional drink is fine. The AAP recommends waiting two or more hours before nursing. You also can pump milk before you drink to feed your baby later.
• It is not safe for you to use any illegal drug. Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and PCP can harm your baby. Some reported side effects in babies include seizures, vomiting, poor feeding, and tremors.

No. But babies can be sensitive to some foods you may eat. Research shows that what you eat affects your milk only slightly. Babies love the flavors of foods that come through the milk. Sometimes a baby may be sensitive to something the mother eats, such as eggs or milk and cheese.

No. But sometimes babies may be allergic to something their mother eats, such as eggs, milk, or cheese. Babies who are highly sensitive usually react to the food within minutes. Babies who are less sensitive may still react to the food within four to 24 hours.

Symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, and/or green stools with mucus and/or blood
• Rash, eczema, dermatitis, hives, or dry skin
• Fussiness during and/or after feedings
• Inconsolable crying for long periods
• Sudden waking with discomfort
• Wheezing or coughing

These symptoms do not mean your baby is allergic to your milk, but rather to something you are eating. Talk with your baby’s doctor about any symptoms. If your baby ever has problems breathing, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Maybe. Vitamin D is needed to build strong bones. All infants and children should get at least 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D each day.

To meet this need, your child's doctor may recommend that you give your baby a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU each day. This should start in the first few days of life. You can buy vitamin D supplements for infants at a drugstore or grocery store.

Even though sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, it is hard to measure how much sunlight your baby gets, and sun exposure can be harmful. Once your baby is weaned from breastmilk, talk to your baby's doctor about whether your baby still needs vitamin D supplements. Some children do not get enough vitamin D from the food they eat.

If you follow a vegan diet or one that does not include any forms of animal protein, you or your baby might not get enough vitamin B₁₂.

In a baby, B₁₂ deficiency can cause symptoms such as:

• Loss of appetite
• Slow motor development
• Being very tired
• Weak muscles
• Vomiting
• Blood problems

You can protect your and your baby's health by taking vitamin B₁₂ supplements while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about your vitamin B₁₂ needs.

An active lifestyle helps you stay healthy, feel better, and have more energy. It does not affect the quality or quantity of your breastmilk or your baby's growth.

Follow these tips to help you be more comfortable when working out while breastfeeding:

• Wear a comfortable support bra or sports bra and nursing pads in case you leak during exercise.
• Pump or breastfeed before you work out.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Be sure to talk to your doctor about how and when to slowly begin exercising following your baby's birth.

Yes. Stress can make you more likely to get sick or have trouble sleeping, stomach problems, headaches, and mental health problems. But breastfeeding can help mothers relax and cope with stress better. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby often has a soothing effect.

Take these steps to help lower stress while breastfeeding:

• Get the facts. The first few weeks of breastfeeding are the hardest, but it does get easier.
• Relax. Try to find a quiet, comfortable, relaxing place to nurse. This will help make breastfeeding more enjoyable for you and your baby. Use this time to bond with your baby, listen to soothing music, meditate, or read a book.
• Read aloud to your baby. Your baby grew inside of you for nine months hearing your voice. Your voice is familiar and soothing to your baby.
• Sleep. Your stress could get worse if you don't get enough sleep. With enough sleep, it is easier to cope with challenges and stay healthy. Try to sleep whenever possible.
• Surround yourself with supportive people. It really does take a village to raise a child.
• Get moving. Physical activity improves your mood. Your body makes certain chemicals, called endorphins, when you exercise. These relieve stress and improve your mood. If you are a new mother, ask your doctor when it is okay to start exercising after childbirth.
• Don't deal with stress in unhealthy ways. This includes drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, or smoking, all of which hurt you and your baby. It is also unhealthy to overeat regularly to cope with stress.
• Get help from a professional if you need it. A therapist or counselor can help you work through stress and find healthy ways to deal with problems. Medicines can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety and help promote sleep. But not all medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

You can take certain medicines while breastfeeding, but not all. Almost all medicines pass into your milk in small amounts. Some have no effect on the baby and can be used while breastfeeding. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medicines you are using and ask before you start using new medicines. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements. For some women with chronic health problems, stopping a medicine can be more dangerous than the effects it will have on the breastfed baby.

You can also search for your medicine in the LactMed database to find out if your medicine passes through your breastmilk and any possible side effects for your nursing baby.

Some women think that they should not breastfeed when they are sick. But most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, or diarrhea, can't be passed through breastmilk. In fact, the antibodies in your breastmilk will help protect your baby from getting the same sickness. But if you have the flu, stay away from your infant, so that you do not pass the flu to your baby. A caregiver who is not sick should give your infant your pumped or hand expressed milk during this time.

Your doctor may tell you not to breastfeed if you:

• Have HIV or AIDS
• Have untreated, active tuberculosis
• Have human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or type II
• Take certain cancer chemotherapy agents, such as antimetabolites
• Get radiation treatment

Maybe. Talk to your partner about his or her worries before you have the baby. Talk together about ways your partner can get involved in breastfeeding.

Before birth:

• Talk about the types of support you will need to give your baby only breastmilk for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding may look like something only a mother can do, but moms who have the most success at breastfeeding get support from their partners. After your child is born, the best way for a partner to support your breastfeeding efforts is by being there for you.
• Having a partner who understands the benefits of breastfeeding can make it more likely that you will be able to breastfeed exclusively for the child's first six months. Share information from this website, or other places, about the health benefits of breastfeeding.
• Breastfed babies get sick less often, which means you or your partner will not have to take time off of work as much. Breastfeeding also saves families money (because there is no formula to buy). Breastfeeding is also more convenient. Encourage your partner to join you for a birthing, breastfeeding, and/or new parenting class. Classes are available through the hospital, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's WIC program, or other organizations.

Your partner can support you by:

• Bringing your baby to you at night for a feeding
• Changing your baby's diaper after a feeding
• Lying skin-to-skin with the baby after a feeding

No, but you may have to make some adjustments to make sex more comfortable if you have the following:

• Vaginal dryness. Some women experience vaginal dryness right after childbirth and during breastfeeding. This is because estrogen levels are lower during these times. If you have vaginal dryness, you can try more foreplay and water-based lubricants.
• Leaking breasts. You can feed your baby or express some milk before lovemaking so your breasts will be more comfortable and less likely to leak. It is common for a woman's breasts to leak or even spray milk during sex, especially during her orgasm. If this happens, put pressure on your nipples or have a towel ready to catch the milk.

Yes. Vaccines are very important to your baby's health and are safe. Almost all insurance plans, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover a child's vaccination with no copay or coinsurance. Breastfeeding may also help your baby respond better to certain immunizations that protect your baby. Follow the schedule your doctor gives you and, if you miss any vaccines, check with the doctor about getting your baby back on track as soon as possible.

Breastfeeding while the shot is given to your baby or right afterward can help relieve pain and soothe an upset baby.

Usually. Breastfeeding does not affect the vaccine, and most vaccines are not harmful to your breastmilk. However, vaccines for smallpox and yellow fever can be passed through breastmilk. If possible, do not get these vaccinations while breastfeeding and talk to your doctor.

Is Breastfeeding in the Pool or Hot Tub Healthy and Safe for My Baby?

Breastfeeding is one of the most important steps mothers can take to promote a baby’s well-being and is recommended by the Surgeon General.

If you are considering breastfeeding your baby in the pool or hot tub, keep in mind that breastfeeding in the water is different from breastfeeding poolside or in other settings. In pools or hot tubs, your baby might be exposed to germs in the water and water temperatures that might be too different from your baby’s normal body temperature. No scientific study has looked at the health and safety of breastfeeding babies while in pools or hot tubs. However, potential health and safety concerns for your baby are discussed in more detail below. CDC is not aware of any risks to other swimmers related to breastfeeding in pools or hot tubs.

Potential Risks of Breastfeeding Babies in Pools or Hot Tubs

Risk of Swallowing Water

We share the water in pools and hot tubs — and the germs in the water — with others. This means that if a swimmer has a fecal (poop) incident in the water, the water becomes contaminated with feces and germs. Swallowing contaminated water can cause recreational water illnesses (RWIs), such as diarrhea and viral meningitis. It is important to remember chlorine and other pool disinfectants do not kill germs instantly, and not all pools and hot tubs have a proper disinfectant level. Your baby’s immune system is not as developed as an older sibling’s or a parent’s, so decreasing your baby’s risk of infection is very important.

Swallowing larger volumes of water while in the pool can cause hyponatremia. This is a condition where body fluids do not contain enough sodium (or salt), which can result in seizures.

Risk of Contact with Water

Babies cannot control their body temperature as effectively as their older siblings and parents. This is because babies have a small body mass compared to body surface area. Being in water even a few degrees different from normal body temperature (98.6°F/37°C) can affect your baby’s body temperature. Being in cool or cold water can cause hypothermia, a dangerously low body temperature. Being in very warm or hot water found in hot tubs can cause hyperthermia, a dangerously high body temperature.